News

iPod nano 6G announced with Multi-Touch interface

By Charles Starrett ● Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Apple has announced its new sixth-generation iPod nano, dropping the device’s Click Wheel in favor of a Multi-Touch interface. As expected, the device features physical, iPhone 4-like volume buttons, a polished aluminum and glass enclosure, a clip on the back, headphone and dock connector ports on the bottom, and a sleep/wake button on the top opposite the volume controls. The new nano’s interface appears to be very similar to that of iOS, with four customizable option icons on each screen, and multiple screens available—however, it does not actually appear to be running iOS, at least as the name generally would indicate. Like the fifth-generation iPod nano, it includes a FM radio, Nike+ support, a built-in pedometer, and VoiceOver support, and will offer 24 hours of audio playback; gone are the video playback and camera capabilities of the prior model. The sixth-generation iPod nano will be available next week in seven colors, including a Product Red version, and will sell for $149 for an 8GB model and $179 for the 16GB version.

Spec fiends should note that the iPod nano now measures 1.48” by 1.61” by 0.35” including the rear clip, with a weight of 0.74 ounces. It does contain an accelerometer, and promises 24 hours of music playback—no video playback—off a full charge. The 240 pixel by 240 pixel screen has 220 pixels per inch, and includes accessibility modes for visually and sonically disabled users. However, the device lacks for the Home button of the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad that came before, requiring swiping or holding gestures to switch between sub-menus, which may confuse some users at first.

Comments

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.. and loose video playback…

Posted by Charles Starrett on September 1, 2010 at 2:27 PM (CDT)

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So the new nano’s lost video playback, games, a camera, a lot of screen real estate, and tactile playback controls, yet still costs the same. Apple’s apparently betting that people value a touch interface and ultra-small size pretty highly.

Posted by Charles Starrett on September 1, 2010 at 2:40 PM (CDT)

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this is bull. People will be buying the old iPod nanos just as much as the new ones.

Posted by Charles Starrett on September 1, 2010 at 4:05 PM (CDT)

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I got a 5th gen Nano 16GB Product Red last year (as well as a 3rg gen Touch) and thought I would feel bad today. The new Nano feels like a downgrade from my 5th gen, especially with no video. I wonder if the clickwheel will make a comeback next year like it did this year with the “new” shuffle. As for the new iPod Touch, why did they give it only a 0.7MP camera? I rather have no camera than a crappy 0.7MP camera.

Well, to be honest the new Nano looks cute, so maybe that will be enough for people to overlook the downgrade. However, just to be safe maybe Apple should keep selling the 5th gen like they did with the 2G Shuffle.

Posted by Charles Starrett on September 1, 2010 at 4:43 PM (CDT)

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well i wanted the new nano. but i dont really like it much anymore i mean it does not have the camera and the video playback. but either way i am sure apple will sell millions of this just like they did with the ipad because people dont really pay attention to it they just say its new and it looks cool its from apple and i want it. just like the ipad it looked cool and it was new but in the end it was just a giant ipod touch. a very expensive giant ipod touch. i do like the new ipod touch though it has som pretty cool features even though it has crappy cameras it is cool.

Posted by Charles Starrett on September 1, 2010 at 6:59 PM (CDT)

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No more cover flow as well. It was so handy and easy to use by simply tilting the iPod which made it one of my favorite features. Does it still have shake-to-shuffle? That was a favorite of mine as well, I used it all the time! It’s obvious that they’re are pushing everyone towards the touch. This new nano is basically a demo of it, a smaller cheaper version.

Posted by Charles Starrett on September 1, 2010 at 8:05 PM (CDT)

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I can’t see the logic here. Sure, it’s tiny but you can’t FWD or RWD
unless you look at it-unlike the shuffle. Losing the neat video camera
and simple but fun games seems like a step backwards to me.

Posted by Charles Starrett on September 1, 2010 at 10:12 PM (CDT)

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I wonder, can you change the wallpaper? If you can change it on the touch, shouldn’t you be able to change it on the nano?

Posted by Charles Starrett on September 2, 2010 at 1:30 AM (CDT)

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if they wanted to add touch, they would just remove the click wheel and add Touch screen retaining Camera and video playback feature.
I think less people would use it.
Not A Success to Apple
They said the camera is less used, but it was the reason for the growth of it, or it would be 3rd instead of 2nd most popular iPod, after Shuffle or Classic.
Also, it is a product between touch and shuffle and not to be said “NANO”

Posted by Charles Starrett on September 2, 2010 at 8:28 AM (CDT)

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Before showing the new iPod Nano, they showed the 5G iPod nano and the same with no buttons.
If they used the style of the previous ipod nano, and with an touch-screen (multi-touch), It would/Could retain Camera, Video playback, and accelerometer (they said that display could be turned with rotation gesture, which means there is no accelerometer in it), also they could add built-in Nike+iPod support to nano.It could become an small size version of iPod Touch.

Posted by Charles Starrett on September 2, 2010 at 9:47 AM (CDT)

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Next year apple should use the design of ipod nano as given in ‘Post #10’ for 7G ipod nano and should add a new wristwatch with Radio and photo/picture viewing capabilities using the current ipod nano design.
An iWatch!
They will remove the camera if wanted, or offer a lower resolution camera. and no built-in support for Nike+iPod. also they would limit the multi-touch to 2-fingers and try to make the Multi-Touch of iPod Touch/iPhone much better. and add FM Radio to iPod Touch at no extra cost.-If used idea of the ‘Post #10’.

Posted by Charles Starrett on September 2, 2010 at 9:59 AM (CDT)

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The new nano is really cute and has nothing else to offer, certainly not at these prices with no increase in capacity. The new shuffle is a better deal of the two as a workout player, although for 2 gigs, it shouldn’t cost over $30.

For basic mp3 use, the Sansa Clip+ is far superior to both. A 4gig capacity for $50 with a card slot, FM, voice recorder. It may not have the style of the Nano, but it’s a lot more practical.

Posted by Charles Starrett on September 2, 2010 at 9:07 PM (CDT)

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The whole lineup this year makes it seem like Apple is getting a bit greedy.

Posted by Charles Starrett on September 2, 2010 at 11:33 PM (CDT)

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The ipod nano screen size was increasing approaching the ipod touch. The thickness of touch was decreasing approaching the ipod nano. Users whom want a larger media device should opt for the ipod touch (which is getting very close in size to the ipod nano with more storage, ability to run apps, better camera and screen). The new nano is clearly oriented at a fitness group (i.e. clip, pedometer, nike plus, smaller size.) The ipod nano is now basically an ipod shuffle with enhanced usability. Anyway, that’s what I think apple was trying to do.

Posted by Charles Starrett on September 3, 2010 at 12:28 AM (CDT)

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I also heard that if you touch the nano in the bottom left corner when you’re holding it, you won’t be able to hear any music!

Posted by Charles Starrett on September 5, 2010 at 1:45 PM (CDT)

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Wow. The new Nano is probably the biggest mistake Apple’s made in a long time. A real step backwards. One of the greatest features of the Nano was the click wheel. You could actually use the thing without looking at it. Very handy for driving.

Oh well, they’ll probably fix it next year.

Posted by Charles Starrett on September 6, 2010 at 2:36 AM (CDT)

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Don’t hold your breath. Last week’s announcements make it pretty clear, IMHO, that Apple is done with the click wheel.

Next year’s nano could come with improved on-device controls, but I doubt we’ll see a return to the click wheel. Further, with a 3.5” screen, it probably isn’t all that hard to hit the controls for play/pause or previous/next tracks without looking.

Posted by Charles Starrett on September 6, 2010 at 11:56 AM (CDT)

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No video playback means that podcast videos aren’t playable? Apple is forcing podcast devotees to move to the more expensive Touch. It’s all about profits.

Posted by Charles Starrett on September 6, 2010 at 6:01 PM (CDT)

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I like the new nano. it is perfect for working out and using an ipod for what its really supposed to be used for, music. sure, all of the new features of the ipod touch are cool but if you like that then get the ipod touch. If you dont need a video camera or any other unecessary features then i think the nano is perfect. it is like the shuffle but you are able to see what you are listening to and choose the song.

Posted by Charles Starrett on October 3, 2010 at 8:16 PM (CDT)

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@Olivia,

It’s not the new nano isn’t any good, but that it’s extremely expensive for the functionality you get, and the touch screen design is both somewhat wasted for lack of features, and also makes it impossible to operate the playback controls without looking at the player.